Grapevine &#34;90-3437&#34;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of grapevine which is somewhat remotely similar to the “Emperor” grapevine, but from which it is distinguished by producing larger seedless fruit which is of outstanding quality having a superior flavor, and a darker purple skin coloration than that of the “Emperor” grapevine and which are mature for harvesting and shipment approximately October 1 through October 15 in the San Joaquin Valley of central California.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of grapevine, which will hereinafter be denominated varietally as the “GRAPEVINE 90-3437”, and, more particularly, to a grapevine which, with the application of Gebberelic Acid, produces seedless fruit, which are, in a typical growing year, mature for conunercial harvesting and shipment approximately October 1 to October 15 in the San Joaquin Valley of central California.

The invention and development of new varieties of grapevines, as with other fruit producing varieties of plants, is a science marked by attentiveness, nurturng of the new varieties over lengthy periods of time, devotion to achieving the desired results and, in the end, good fortune. The variables associated with this process are countless and the results relative to the fruit produced, as to maturity date, size, quality, coloration, quantity and the like, may vary from growing season to growing season depending upon a multitude of influences. Variations in such influences may include, but are not limited to, seasonal variations such as temperature, rainfall, pests and diseases, as well as other factors which may be more reliably within control, such as the age of the plants, irrigation, pruning, fertilization, trellising practices and the like.

Nonetheless, such invention and development continues and superior LZvarieties of grapevines are discovered and developed as a result of the arduous tasks required. More specifically, with respect to grapevines, there continues to be significant effort to develop new varieties which are superior in one or more respects over existing commercial varieties. Such respects include, for example, relative to the frut, productivity, size, coloration, flavor, shipping quality, as well as other characteristics. Still another characteristic is the maturity period of the fruit of the new variety. It is frequently deemed desirable in a new variety that the frut matures during a period of timne in which no other desirable variety matures, or which is superior in other respects to varieties which may mature at approximately the same time.

The grapevine of the instant variety is believed to be a promising candidate for commercial success in respect to many of these criteria.

ORIGIN AND ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present variety of grapevine hereof was bred under the direction of the inventor in 1989 in Delano, Calif., by cross pollination between the grapevine “RED GLOBE” and the grapevine “26916”. The present variety of grapevine was asexually reproduced in 1990 in Delano, Calif. from seed of the new variety produced by this cross pollination. Subsequently, the resulting grapevines of the new variety were grown in the United States of America near Delano in the San Joaquin Valley of central California in a test plot. The observations and measurements hereof were made during the 1994 through 1999 growing seasons, at the same location near Delano in the San Joaquin Valley of central California. The grapevines of the new variety have been observed by the inventor and have been found in all respects to be identical to the original plant of the new variety.

SUMMARY OF THE NEW VARIETY

The new grapevine of the subject invention is characterized by its productivity producing large, seedless, light red grapes which ripen for commercial harvesting and shipment approximately the same time as the “Emperor” grapevine, or normally approximately October 1 to October 15 in the San Joaquin Valley of central California. The new variety may be compared in certain respects with the “Emperor” grapevine. However, the new variety of the subject invention is a seedless grape in contrast with the “Emperor” grapevine which is a seeded variety, and the subject variety produces larger berry size, is darker in skin coloration and has superior flavor and crispness than in the case of the fruit of the “Emperor” grapevine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying drawing is a color photograph of representative portions of the new grapevine of the present invention including bunches of grapes, sectioned m;: portions of individual berries thereof, typical foliage and segments of canes all of the new variety.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the viticultural details of this new and distinct variety of grapevine, the following has been observed under the ecological conditions prevailing at the described location near Delano in the San Joaquin Valley of central California. All major color code designations are by reference to the Dictionary of Color, by Maerz and Paul, First Edition, 1930. Common color names are also occasionally employed.

Grapevine

-   Generally:     -   -   Size.—The test grapevines of the subject variety are planted             approximately 7.9 feet (240.79 cm) apart in the test rows             and extend 11.8 feet (359.66 cm) apart. The grapevine canopy             extends out into the row approximately 3.28 feet (99.97 cm).             The grapevines are growing on their own roots and were             four (4) years of age in 1999.         -   Vigor.—Very vigorous. The new variety is slightly more             vigorous than the “Thompson Seedless” grapevine and about             equal to the “Emperor” grapevine.         -   Productivity.—Very productive, slightly more productive than             both the “Thompson Seedless” grapevine and the “Emperor”             grapevine. The test grapevines have been trained to a             quadrilateral cordon production system. -   Trunk:     -   -   Size.—Ranges from 6.5 cm (2.54 inches) to 7.8 cm (3.04             inches) at 15 cm (5.85 inches) above ground surface.         -   Surface texture.—Course with a rough and somewhat shaggy             surface.         -   Bark color.—Dark grey (15-A-6 Beaver Grey) to a lighter             grey-brown (14-B-6 Camel's Hair). -   Canes:     -   -   Size.—Thickness — Ranges from average to slightly above             average depending upon the degree of light exposure and             height in the grapevine canopy.         -   Size.—Diameter — Large vigorous canes ranges from 8 mm (0.32             inches) to 13 mm (0.52 inches).         -   Surface texture.—Mature cane is finely striated with low,             fairly regular striations.         -   Form.—Woody shoot cross sections form varies from circular             to slightly elliptic.         -   Color.—One year or older wood — Ranges from a chamois tan             (11-E-5 Raffia) to a darker tan-brown (13-D-7 Oakbuff).         -   Internode.—Length — Mature Cane — Normal.         -   Internode.—Length — Upper Mature Sun Cane — Ranges from 8 cm             (3.12 inches) to 16 cm (6.24 inches) between nodes. -   Tendrils:     -   -   Size.—Thickness — Medium.         -   Size.—Length — Mature Canes — Moderately long, ranging from             12 cm (4.68 inches) to 20 cm (7.8 inches).         -   Distribution.—Discontinuous.         -   Form.—Variable, most frequently trifid, but with numerous             bifid forms present.         -   Color.—Immature — Bronze-green (12-L-3 Pyrite Yellow) with a             moderate amount of reddish anthocyanin piginentation             present. -   Growing tips: The tip indument is moderately pubescent.     -   -   Color.—Expanding shoot tip is bright green-yellow (18-L-2             Citronelle) with a moderate amount of reddish anthocyanic             pigmentation present. -   Leaves:     -   -   Size.—Generally — Large. Measurements have been taken from             loge mature leaves on vigorous canes.         -   Average Leaf blade length.—Ranges from 14.6 cm (5.69 inches)             to 17.5 cm (6.83 inches), measured from the petiole junction             to the apex of the center leaf lobe.         -   Color.—Upwardly disposed surface — Ranges from a dark green             (22-K-4) to a slightly darker green (23-C-6).         -   Color.—Downwardly disposed surface — Lighter grey-green             (21-I-5) to a darker grey-green (21-H-6).         -   Color.—Leaf Vein — Lower mid-vein is prominent and pale             green (17-G-4). The mid-vein is at times lightly tinged with             a reddish-purple hue.         -   Form.—Mature leaves are most frequently pentagonal in shape             with the largest leaves having from five to seven lobes.         -   Margin teeth.—Sides — Most frequently convex in form with             occasional straight-sided teeth present.         -   Margin teeth.—Length — Relatively large, ranging from 4 mm             (0.16 inches) to 10 mm (0.4 inches).         -   Surface.—Relatively smooth.         -   Petiolar sinus.—Open with no basal lobe overlap. The             petiolar sinuses are most frequently “U” shaped. The upper             leaf sinuses are usually closed with moderate leaf overlap.             The bases of the upper leaf sinuses are variable, most             frequently “V” shaped, but at times “U” shaped bases can be             present.         -   Petiole.—Length — Varies from 14.2 cm (5.54 inches) to 19.4             cm (7.57 inches).         -   Petiole.—Thickness — Ranges from 2.0 mm (0.08 inches) to 4.0             mm (0.16 inches), measured at mid-petiole.         -   Petiole.—Color — Ranges from a pale green (17-G-5) to a pale             green-yellow (17-D-3).         -   Petiole.—Surface — Color — On mature leaves, the surface is             often tinged with a purplish hue, most frequently at the             distal end near the petiole juncture with the leaf blade             base. This coloration can vary from a light rose (2-C-3) to             a darker purple (4-J-3 Azalea).

Floral

-   Cluster:     -   -   Generally.—The floral cluster is moderately narrow and             tapering. The first floral cluster can occur from the second             to the fifth node, most frequently on node 3 or 4. The             cluster frequency is high, imparting the potential for             excellent productivity.         -   Size.—Length — Ranges from 11.5 cm (4.49 inches) to 17.5 cm             (6.83 inches) without the peduncle.         -   Size.—Width — Ranges from 2.5 cm (0.975 inches) to 8.3 cm             (3.24 inches).         -   Peduncle.—Length — Can vary from 2.5 cm (0.975 inches) to             4.0 cm (1.56 inches).         -   Inflorescences.—Hermaphroditic.         -   Stamens.—Upright.         -   Anthers.—Size — Average.         -   Date of bloom.—Full bloom in 1999 was May 31, approximately             one week after the “Thompson Seedless” grapevine. The 1999             growing season can be characterized as a very late             developing season, approximately ten (10) days later than an             average year in Delano area in the San Joaquin valley of             California. This would indicate a more “normal” or “average”             date of bloom of May 21 for the new variety.         -   Pollen.—Abundant.         -   Calyptra.—Separation from the flower base is complete. The             duration of bloom is normal, approximately ten (10) days.         -   Petiole.—Color — Medium green (19-K-6 Sea Foam).         -   Calyptra.—Color — Lighter green (19-K-4).

Fruit

-   Maturity when described: Ripe for commercial harvesting and shipment     in a normal growing season (approximately October 1 to October 15     near Delano in the central valley of California. The date of     maturity is similar to that of the commercial variety “Emperor”     grapevine. The 1999 growing season was an unusually late year for     maturity of most varieties and in which the maturity period of the     new variety was approximately October 10 to October 25. -   Cluster—primary bunches:     -   -   Generally.—Ranges from above medium to large.         -   Bunch.—Length — Ranges from 22 cm (8.58 inches) to 32 cm             (12.48 inches) without the peduncle.         -   Bunch.—Width — Ranges from 15 cm (5.85 inches) to 21 cm             (8.19 inches).         -   Bunch.—Density — Moderately loose with numerous visible             pedicels.         -   Berry.—Number — Ranges from 85 to as many as 175 berries in             the largest clusters.         -   Bunch.—Peduncle — Length — Ranges from 3.5 cm (1.365 inches)             to 8.1 cm (3.159 inches).         -   Bunch.—Peduncle — Thickness — Ranges from 2.5 mm (0.1             inches) to 5.0 mm (0.2 inches).         -   Peduncle.—Color — Medium green-brown (14-K-1). -   Berry:

Size- Large.

-   -   -   Form.—Lateral — Quite uniformly oval.         -   Form.—Cross-sectional — Globose.         -   Uniformity.—Good within the individual bunch.         -   Size.—Diameter — Ranges from 20 mm (0.8 inches) to 25 mm (1             inch).         -   Size.—Length — Ranges from 25 mm (1 inch) to 30 mm (1.2             inches).         -   Berry.—Color — Generally — Overall berry skin coloration is             relatively uniform. Most exposed berries are 100% surface             colored. The shaded side of interior berries can range from             70% to 100% colored.         -   Skin.—Color — Generally — All berry surfaces are covered             with a very light greyish, waxy bloom.         -   Skin.—Color — Ranges from a bright purple-red (6-G-4) to a             slightly darker (6-J-4).         -   Ground.—Color — Generally — Ranges from 5% to 30% of the             surface on interior berries.         -   Ground.—Color — Usually a very pale yellow with a slight             greenish tint (11-K-1). Often these ground color areas can             have a very lightly blushed surface.         -   Pedicel.—Size — Medium.         -   Pedicel.—Length — Ranges from 8.0 mm (0.32 inches) to 13.0             mm (0.52 inches).         -   Pedicel.—Thickness — Ranges from 1.5 mm (0.06 inches) to 2.5             mm (0.1 inches) at mid-pedicel.         -   Pedicel.—Color — Greenish-brown (14-K-3 Serpentine Green).         -   Pedicel.—The berry attachment is very strong. Almost no             shatter occurs at fuill maturity.

-   Secondary Bunches: The secondary bunches are numerous. Berry shape     is similar to the berries in the primary clusters. Berry size in the     secondary clusters is smaller than that in the primaries. Color of     the berries in the secondaries is darker than in the primaries and     almost all berries are fullly colored. Color ranges from a purple     (6-J-5 Rubaiyat) to a darker (7-E-5 Mauverose). Secondary bunch form     is irregular. Secondary bunches can range from 4 cm (1.56 inches) to     12 cm (4.68 inches) in width and from 7 cm (2.73 inches) to 14 cm     (5.46 inches) in length. Berry counts vary substantially from just a     few, six (6) to ten (10), up to thirty (30) berries or more.

-   Flesh:     -   -   Flesh Color.—Variable, most frequently it is a combination             of generally clear or in translucent areas with colored             areas. The translucent areas are often, but not always, near             the stem end of the berry and the colored areas are often             next to, or 2 mm (0.08 inches) to 4 mm (0.16 inches) under,             the skin surface. The colored areas range from a light rose             (3-E-2) to a darker rose (3-H-2).         -   Juice.—Color.—Usually clear, but at times it can become             slightly pink at advanced berry maturity.         -   Juice production.—Juicy.         -   Flavor.—Sweet and mild with excellent balance.         -   Aroma.—Bunch aroma is slight to lacking.         -   Texture.—Very good. The individual berries are crisp, firm             and juicy.         -   Seeds.—Usually absent.

-   Use: High quality seedless table grape, well suited for commercial     production.

Although the new variety of grapevine possesses the described characteristics noted above as a result of the growing conditions prevailing near in the central part of the San Joaquin Valley of California, it is to be understood that variations of the usual magnitude and characteristics incident to changes in growing conditions, inrigation, fertttation, prnning, pest control, climatic variation and the like are to be expected. 

1. A new and distinct variety of grapevine substantially as illustrated and described which is somewhat remotely similar to the “Emperor”, but from which it is distinguished by producing seedless fruit of larger size having a dark purple skin coloration and superior flavor and which are mature for commercial harvesting and shipment in a normal growing season approximately October 1 to October 15 in the San Joaquin Valley of central California. 